Model year record

1994 Dodge Caravan

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 836 owner complaints on file.

Dodge Caravan, 1991–1995 generation
Pictured: the 1991–1995 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V305000

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

Component
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
679,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-10-12
Owners notified
2000-11-06

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH 2-SPOKE LUXURY WHEELS MANUFACTURED JULY 1992 THROUGH JUNE 1993; OR EQUIPPED WITH 4-SPOKE SPORT WHEELS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1992 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1993. THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.

Safety risk

IF THE STEERING WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF CONTROL CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR CRACKS AND ANY WHEELS WITH CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IN THE EVENT CRACKING OCCURS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V213000

Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments

Component
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
1,318,189
Reported to NHTSA
1999-09-02
Owners notified
1999-08-30

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE STRUT TO THE BODY AND THE REAR LIFTGATE CAN ACCUMULATE FATIGUE DAMAGE IF THREE FACTORS COMBINE. IF THE BOLT IS LOOSE, THE GAS STRUT IS OVER-PRESSURIZED, AND THE FREQUENCY OF OPENING AND CLOSING CYCLES IS HIGHER THAN FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER, THE BOLT CAN FAIL.

Safety risk

PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IF THE BOLTS BREAK ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL SUDDENLY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR LOOSE FASTENERS, IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE, THE STRUT (AND INTEGRAL BOLTS) WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE BOLT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF TORQUE, THE BOLT WILL BE REMOVED, LARGER WASHERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING WASHER AND THE BOLT WILL BE REINSTALLED AND HAND TIGHTENED TO THE TARGET TORQUED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V113000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION
Vehicles affected
736,824
Reported to NHTSA
1999-05-06
Owners notified
1999-08-02

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE WIRING THAT INITIATES THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD ELECTRICALLY SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND. A SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND THAT EXISTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "ON" OR "START" POSITION CAN CAUSE THE AIR BAG(S) TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.

Safety risk

INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN INJURE A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. ANY SHORT CIRCUITS IDENTIFIED IN EITHER THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INITIATOR WIRE CIRCUIT WILL BE REPAIRED.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission96105,000 mi
Air bags: frontal66—
Air bags36140,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip36—
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock34—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline33—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner29—
Structure: body: door2599,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition24—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys14—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1467,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate14—
Engine and engine cooling: engine13—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1317,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components13—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments13200,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments1366,793 mi
Unknown or other12110,000 mi
Vehicle speed control11—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor11—
Visibility: glass, side/rear10176,380 mi
Visibility: windshield9180,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system8—
Steering: rack and pinion8—
Suspension: front8—
Child seat7—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan7—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly7—
Power train: manual transmission7—
Seat belts: front: anchorage7—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly7—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar7—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch6235,000 mi
Seat belts6—
Seat belts: front: retractor6—
Seats6—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump6—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer6—
Exterior lighting: headlights590,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter5—
Structure: body5119,444 mi
Electrical system4114,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system467,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch4—
Parking brake: conventional4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor4—
Steering4—
Structure: body: tailgate4—
Structure: frame and members4—
Tires4—
Visibility: power window devices and controls4—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module3—
Electrical system: wiring3—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers3—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly3—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump3—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system3—
Fuel system, other3—
Interior lighting399,000 mi
Seat belts: integrated child seat3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder3—
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments3—
Tires: tread/belt3—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system3—
Electrical system: horn2—
Electrical system: ignition: module2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2—
Equipment2—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2—
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices2—
Fuel system, gasoline2114,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2—
Parking brake2—
Power train2—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines2—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift2—
Seat belts: front: webbing2—
Service brakes, air: antilock2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2—
Suspension2—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut2—
Suspension: rear2—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal2—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element2—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2—
Child seat: harness retainer/chest clip1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine195,356 mi
Engine and engine cooling1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Equipment adaptive/mobility13,000 mi
Equipment: electrical1—
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack1—
Exterior lighting: back up lights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1—
Steering: linkages1—
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut1—
Structure: body: trunk lid1—
Suspension: front: control arm1—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Suspension: multiple axle1—
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Visibility1—
Visibility/wiper1140,000 mi
Wheels1—
Wheels: hubcap/cover1—
Wheels: multi piece1—

The 1993 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1995 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

DP96014DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Other Dodge Caravan model years

All Dodge Caravan recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.